Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was delighted with a "complete" performance as his team surged to a five-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership by dismantling Ross County at Parkhead.

Rodgers made six changes from the side that drew with Club Brugge in midweek, showcasing his squad depth as each player made a positive impact.

Four out of the five scorers from a devastating five-goal first half were newbies into the starting XI.

Liam Scales opened the scoring with a powerful header from a corner, followed by a deflected goal from the impressive Luke McCowan.

Paulo Bernardo netted the third before captain Callum McGregor ensured it would be a convincing three points for the reigning champions by rifling beyond the Ross County goalkeeper from around 20-yards, marking his sixth league goal of the season.

The first half concluded with a thumping finish from Adam Idah, extending Celtic's unbeaten domestic run to 28 games since March.

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"I thought it was the complete performance," Rodgers told BBC Scotland.

"I said before the game that this was a game where we didn't want to be waiting on the game. We wanted to go and create the possibilities, and I thought we were outstanding in that front. 

"What's really pleasing was the pressing mentality, the hunger of the team. Three of our goals in the first half come from transitions. We are in possession, we lose it, and then we get the ball back very quickly and that creates opportunities for us to score. 

"In the second half, in all fairness, we could've had the same, but you've got to give credit to Ross County. They defended really well, their keeper made some great saves, we hit the crossbar twice, the post.

"So, for a complete 90 minutes, that was so good on the back end of a really tough Champions League game in midweek. For the players to show that hunger, I was so proud of them." 

(Image: PA) Rodgers was keen to praise McCowan, who’s had to bide his time for regular minutes since arriving from Dundee on Deadline Day. 

"He's really settled in well," the Celtic boss explained. "He's had to be patient. He gets his reward for how hard he works.

"It tells you everything about him that he comes in and for 70-odd minutes he's so good, his pressing, energy and quality."